What does infrangible mean?
Infrangible describes something that cannot be touched, handled, broken, or violated. The word is especially associated with principles, rights, reputations, traditions, and other abstract possessions that are treated as inviolable or imperishable. In legal and business contexts, it can describe intangible assets, such as intellectual property, that have no physical form but still possess legal or economic value. Its figurative force comes from combining the ordinary idea of physical invulnerability with the broader notion of something that cannot legitimately be infringed. The word is formal and less common than intangible, but it is more emphatic: intangible identifies a lack of physical existence, whereas infrangible emphasizes resistance to damage or violation. Because of this rhetorical strength, infrangible is often used in descriptions of sacred principles, national ideals, contractual obligations, and closely held institutional reputations.
Unable to be broken, violated, or infringed; impossible to damage or overturn.
"They regarded the independence of the judiciary as infrangible."
Used principally in formal, legal, political, or elevated prose.
Not physically tangible or perceptible; lacking material existence.
"The app's most valuable asset was its reputation, an infrangible advantage over larger competitors."
Often used in legal and economic discussions of rights, assets, and value.
What cannot be touched may still be impossible to break.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of infrangible
The word dates from the early 17th century and comes through French infrangible from Medieval Latin infrangibilis. Its elements are the Latin prefix in-, meaning “not,” and frangere, meaning “to break.” Related English words include fragile, frangible, and fracture, all of which reflect the same long-established root associated with breaking.
Related word forms
How infrangible is actually used
A formal and relatively uncommon word. It is used especially in legal, political, and abstract contexts, often where the idea of a right, principle, or reputation being unbreakable is intended.
Easily confused with infrangible
Intangible describes something without physical existence, whereas infrangible emphasizes that something cannot be broken, violated, or infringed.
Inviolable means impossible or forbidden to violate, while infrangible retains a broader sense that also includes being physically unbreakable.